Author Description

The 1989 Tiananmen crisis marked a crucial turning point for the People's Republic of China. The unprecedented demonstrations of popular dissent triggered the downfall of reformist premier Zhao Ziyang, who supported the students, and the rise of his conservative successor, Li Peng. The subsequent military crackdown on the demonstrators horrified the world and threatened the PRC with international isolation. In this book, distinguished scholars from Taiwan and the United States analyze the wide-ranging effects of the crisis on the role of ideology; the Party; the military; social and legal reform; economic reform; Taiwan and Hong Kong; and foreign relations. For anyone interested in China, and in particular the future of Communism, this volume will be essential reading.